Family Sinking Financially because I am studying.

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I'm three months in to a12-month Level 5 Diploma in Software Development and my family are struggling financially with the loss of my previous income from part-time care work.

I knew we would struggle but was hoping I would be able to apply for a maintenance loan to help with the cost of living.

My partner works full time as a self employed dry liner. His profitable income (once expenses have been deducted) varies hugely from month to month but averages out at about 36k a year.

I've just completed a Universal Credit application and we have a proof of ID call next week. I'm not too hopeful that we will be entitled to much, if any, help. It doesn't help that my partner's income is so variable.

We have 3 children, one of which is a pre-schooler, my family are helping to pay for some of her childcare so she can attend a few mornings a week. I try to get studying done when I can (this is a struggle but another topic entirely!)...

This Diploma is full-time and I received an Advance Learner Loan for the tuition cost. Apparently when you do a Diploma you are not entitled to a maintenance loan.

I have googled for hours and found practically no information on financial help apart from advice aimed at degree-students, single parents or those on very low incomes.

If we can't get some help I will have no choice but to quit the course and go back into care work.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on this?

Thank you in advance for any help.

I'm in a similar position and do ad hoc babysitting as and when I'm able. Evenings and weekends, charging £10 an hour. Every little helps.

Unfortunately evenings and weekends is when I have to cram in most of my study as it's the only time my partner is home and able to look after the children. My 2 year old is only in pre school 3 mornings a week.

but was hoping I would be able to apply for a maintenance loan to help with the cost of living

Thats really something to find out before you start a course. What are you going to do if you can’t get UC and won’t be working evenings/weekends?

Is that qualification pretty much guaranteed to get you a job? If so at what level and will you need further study?
Most people I know in IT have a degree
If it will definitely help you get a well paying job then find a way to work evenings and weekends to contribute to the family finances, if not then stop

Where are you studying? Some FE colleges can contribute towards childcare costs which may free you up to study in the day and then work part time in the evenings?

If you were babysitting you might be able to study there though?
Apologies if I'm way off, but I babysat loads during GCSE/A level years and always took books etc to study with once the kids were in bed.
Sometimes they were already in bed when I got there and I'd just sit and study, eating their snacks 😄

It was all a bit rushed! I suppose I just didn't imagine that you wouldn't be able to get a maintenance loan - it's full time. I'll have to abandon the course.

Yes, software developers are really in demand and it's well paid.

It's City of Bristol College.

It can be but is that the case with a level 5 Diploma?
I think these are provided by commercial suppliers who may exaggerate the career opportunities they give.
Sorry to be negative, it’s great you are doing something to improve your career prospects but please be really sure this will before you get into financial difficulties doing it with no well paid job at the end

How many hours do you have for course and study?

you need to look at study on top of work, not the other way round.

I highly doubt you will get UC. When my husband lost his job, they said my £1200 a month was more than enough to live on for 2 adults and 2 kids (mortgage alone is £1100)

OP - I’m sorry you are in this situation. What have you learnt so far? If you do find you have to give it up, just wanted you to know that there are things you can do in your spare time to keep up and build your skills. When you have some experience doing it as a hobby, you may be able to apply for some apprenticeships (which are paid), but also have a qualification (though you would need to plan what you would do about childcare and how much it would cost).

Does the college have student support / advisors you could contact? I imagine term has already ended but some support staff may still be at work and contactable.

Are you a member of the students' union? Can you contact anyone from the local union or NUS regionally or nationally?

It's City of Bristol College, not a commercial supplier.

Ok so here is the link to their learner support fund information www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/support/financial-support/ speak to them about what they can do to help.

The course is full-time. My partner gets home at about 6pm so I study between 6pm-12pm every night, plus 2 hours study 3 times a week when my 2 year old is in preschool.

Could you not delay studying until your youngest is in pre school?

Thank you I have contacted them, just awaiting a response x

Can you switch to part time over two years, instead of full time over one year? That way you could work part time.

Otherwise the suggestion of babysitting is actually really good! I always studied whilst babysitting and it's cash in hand.

She will be entitled to 15 hours a week from age 3, at which point my family (my aunt) will stop paying for the 15 hours that she is currently, so the childcare will not increase until she is in school.

But yes I am coming to the conclusion that I will have to leave this course and think about doing it again when she is in school. I just really didn't want to go back to care-work again. Nevermind, such is life.

Could you do some informal childminding? I never qualified as a childminder but when DH lost his job I looked after friends' children before and after school for a couple of hours to cover their commute. Even 3 hours a day works out at £150 a week, which covers food and a few other expenses if you are careful.

Unfortunately part-time is not an option. I'll look into babysitting.

You dont say whether you have a mortgage, but if so, could you arrange a mortgage holiday?
Do you have room for a lodger?
Sorry if neither of those is possible. (I have an overseas masters student lodger and she is quiet and polite, no bother).

You definitely don’t need a degree to work in software development. Tech companies tend to be far more reasonable about qualifications.